Investors are being forced to cope with what many perceive as unprecedented circumstances in the economic and political environment. At the same time that the U.S. economic recovery appears to be slowing, one independent agency downgraded its rating on debt issued by the U.S. Treasury.

Confidence that government policymakers can do anything significant to help improve the environment is low.

These and other concerns are contributing to a sense of unease for many investors.

Here are five realities to give you an appropriate perspective on the challenges that lie ahead:

1. The downgrade may be justified, but might have been premature. Standard & Poor’s shifted the nation’s credit rating from AAA to AA+. Part of their rationale appeared to center around concerns that a dysfunctional political environment will prevent budget issues from being resolved in an effective manner.

However, history is filled with examples of how American politicians have forged deals to resolve crises.

2. The economy is being tested, but a repeat of 2008 is not inevitable.

Recent memory can have a significant impact on investor behavior. The financial crisis that put the global economy on the brink in the fall of 2008 (and contributed to a 50 percent-plus drop in the value of the S&P 500 stock index) remains etched in most of our memories. Fears have been raised that we may be facing a similar situation this year spurred on in part by the problems many governments (Greece, Ireland and Spain to name a few) are facing with their own debt issues. But it is not a foregone conclusion that we’re headed for the same result as three years ago.

3. Good news is often hidden. In periods like these when troubling news leads the headlines, investors are often surprised when markets perform well.

Corporate profits remain strong and companies in the U.S. and elsewhere generally have solid balance sheets. Emerging markets are growing robustly and will likely help spur ongoing economic activity in other parts of the world, including the U.S. Prices for gasoline have moderated in recent weeks, boosting consumer purchasing power.

4. Stocks may offer more attractive value than bonds

Many people have been pulling money out of the stock market and investing in bonds (or bond funds). Yet with interest rates on U.S. Treasury securities near historic lows there appears to be limited upside.

5. Market gyrations should not overtake your investment strategy

Are you a long-term investor? Most everybody should be, at least with a portion of his or her portfolio. Even if you are retired or close to it, you may need to invest some of your money in stocks to help meet increasing income needs over the course of what could be a long retirement. If you are uneasy with your current asset mix, it is worthwhile to review your holdings and determine if there is a more appropriate solution for your circumstances.

Cristina Fuentes is a financial advisor with Ameriprise Financial, a financial advisory practice of Ameriprise Financial Services Inc. She can be reached at 626-744-9760.